Outer case for beehives



(No Model.)

J. N. TAYLOR. OUTER CASE FOR BEEHIVES.

(Application filed Dec. 4, 1897.)

Patented Mar. 7, I899.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH N. TAYLOR, OF HAMILTON, MONTANA.

OUTE R CASE FOR BEEHIVES.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 620,859, dated March 7, 1899 A plication filed December 4,1897. Serial No- 660,742. memorial.)

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, JOSEPH N. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hamilton, in the county of Ravalli, State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Outer Cases for Beehives; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had'to the accompanylng drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to beehives; and it consists in a chaff-hive or outer case comprising a set of telescopic sections and is adapted to protect the hive proper from the elements.

The objects of the invention are to afford a housing, in which the hive may be incased, of such construction as to readily accommodate hives of various heights and in which the ar rangement is such as to provide for ventilation, for closing the hive-entrance against drafts of air, and for regulating the ingress aperture, so that the size of said opening may be reduced at pleasure or entirely closed if desired, which objects are attained by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective of my improved housing, inclosing the hive therein. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section on line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective, partly in section, of the platform or base which supports the hive proper and the sections of the inclosing case as well. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail hereinafter referred to. Fig. 5 is abeveled and notched board adapted to partially close the hive-entrance. Fig. 6 is a large detail in section through the top of the upper section of the housing, showing hinged strips for controlling the ventilationopening therein.

Referring to the letters of reference, A designates a base or platform which supports the outer case as well as the hive proper. This base consists on three sides of upright boards A, connected by cross-pieces B, upon which the bottom B of the hive is supported. The front of the base is provided with a crosspiece 0, which connects the sides of 1 the base,

and with a beveled orinclined alighting-board Each end of the alighting-board C is pro vided with a beveled block b, and upon the under face of the cross-piece C is a beveled cleat or button d, pivoted upon a pin which passes through a transverse slot 0 therein, by

which arrangement when the alighting-board is raised to a horizontal position the cleat or button cl is caused to lie between the beveled blocks 1) on said board, thereby reducing the hive-entrance to the minimum, and by means of the adjustment of the cleat or button d through the slot therein the entrance to the hive may be entirely closed by moving said button so as bring its beveled ends into contact with the beveled blocks 19, as will be well understood.

To protect the hive-entrance from a direct draft of wind, I employ a supplementary clos-- ing-board D, having a notch d in the lower edge thereof, which I insert in a vertical position between the alighting-board and the cross-piece O, as shown in Fig. 2, thereby affording but a small opening to the hive out of line with the hive-entrance proper. This board may be employed and removed at pleas ure and, if desired, may be hinged to one of its engaging boards.

Theinclosing case proper consists of a series of interchangeable telescopic sections E, made slightly tapering, so as to fit one over the other and provided in the corners with stop-blocks c to regulate the depth of lap.-

edges, as shown at e in Fig. 1, while the top piece F of said cover rests upon the pieces F, closing said opening except at the ends, whereby proper ventilation for the hive is provided. These ventilating-openings e are controlled by hinged blocks f, which are secured to the under face of the top piece. F and are adapted to be swung downward to close said openings when desired, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6.

It will now be understood that this improved device afiords a detachable outside case in which the hive may be packed for the winter or sheltered in summer and which also provides for the easy egress and ingress of the bees, protects the hive-entrance from direct drafts of air, and'aifords perfect ventilation for the hive when placed therein, permitting as well ready access to the hive at.

any time by simply removing one or more sections of the case.

Having thus fully set forth my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is i 1. The combination with the iuclosing'case, of the base-section having an inclined alighting-board whose lower edge projects outwardly in vertical alinement with the inclosing case and whose upper edge is hinged to said base and terminates on a plane with the hive-entrance, and the cross-piece mounted on the side pieces of the base-section and extending transversely above said alightingboard and directly over the entrance to the hive.

2. In an inclosing case for beehives, the combination with the case or housing, of the base-section supporting the hive, the inclined alighting-board hinged to the base having pivoted blocks secured to the opposite ends thereof, the cross-piece closing the base immediately above said hinged alighting-board and having the movable cleat or button upon the under face thereof adapted to register with the beveled blocks and the alightingboard when said board is raised to a horizontal position.

3. In an inc-losing case for beehives, the

combination with the inclosing structure, of 

